With games like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
and A Link Between Worlds being remade on the 3DS, as well as the recent
release of Oddworld: New’n’Tasty on the PS4, it got me thinking about what
games I want to see be remade. I may eventually delve into later generations,
but for this piece I am strictly sticking to the Genesis/SNES era. So without
further ado, let’s get started.
1.) General Chaos
This was one of my favorite Sega Genesis games. It is described as “the arcade action battlegame of paramilitary pandemonium.” The game pits two class-based squads against each other in the classic rivalry: red vs blue. There is both single-player and local multiplayer.
To be honest, the single-player is not all that compelling. Either you take a squad of five against the enemy squad of five and command them RTS style, which is clunky and chaotic to do on a Genesis controller, or take a two-man team in which you directly control one soldier and give orders to the second against a full five soldiers. Whichever squad you choose, the odds aren’t in your favor.
Where this game really shines is in its cooperative multiplayer, in which you and a friend each have a two-man team, evening the odds a bit. Before each match starts, you pick your squad, which can vary as there are five different classes to choose from (though each team is predetermined, so you can’t choose the two classes you want, you have to pick the pre-selected teams); there is the close range flamethrower, the bazooka-wielding trooper, and the machine gunner, to name a few. Once the match starts, the objective is simple: kill the enemy force.
Now I wouldn’t expect a full-fledged retail release of this game, but it would be perfect for the downloadable market. Throw in some four-player co-op (or even eight player competitive), keep the art style but add in some HD visuals, and maybe a few new classes and game modes and you have a sure hit.
2.) Road Rash
Now this is a title I have seen multiple times in different forums and websites be requested for a reboot, and why wouldn’t it be? There haven’t been any recent racing games that focus on motorcycle racing, and none that have the beat ‘em up mentality towards rival racers that Road Rash does. In a genre that is increasingly about cars, this would be a fresh change of pace, especially with the brutal blood sport addition of knocking other racers off their bikes with chains or fists. The game even features new and upgradeable bikes for purchase, something that wasn’t seen that much back then. This game is definitely ripe for a reboot.
3.) Sunset Riders
This final game I’m sure many gamers have fond memories of. An arcade-style, side-scrolling shoot ‘em up game set in the Wild West. What’s not to love? The game is great fun to play by yourself, and is an absolute blast to play with a friend. With old-school arcade gaming tropes such as a health bar, limited lives, tough boss fights, bonus levels, and a great 16-bit soundtrack, this would be the perfect retro game to hit the downloadable gaming market.
That's my list for today. Are there any old-school games you would like to see be remade? Also, this is my first ever blog post on here, so any feedback you guys could give, whether it be on format, presentation, or whatever, would be appreciated. Thanks for reading.